Baby hedgehog rescued after falling down drain

Two small hedgehogs are being held in a gloved hand.
Image caption, The hedgehog is being cared for, along with a sibling, after being plucked from the drain

A baby hedgehog is doing “rather well” after being rescued from a storm drain, according to a charity.

Warwickshire Hedgehog Rescue said they were contacted on Monday by a woman who had heard cries of distress coming from the drain.

Crews from Leamington fire station tried to help but were unable to retrieve the hoglet after it had found its way into a narrow side pipe.

Locals continued efforts into the evening however, and managed to pull the tiny animal out using a piece of flexible tubing.

They, along with the firefighters, had earlier tried unsuccessfully to retrieve the hoglet using a variety of different techniques, during one of the hottest days of the year so far.

They said they had all felt as though there was nothing more they could do, but the fact the local family persevered meant the baby hedgehog was saved.

The charity said the drain covers now had by chicken wire placed over them to prevent something similar happening again.

“There are many stories of hogs getting stuck in uncovered drains,” the charity said in a post on Facebook, adding that this drain had been covered but that the gaps were bigger than the hoglet.

They said fitting covers on drains which did not have them could save the life of a wild animal.
‘Hedgehog champions’

The hedgehog is now being cared for by the charity along with a sibling that was found nearby.

Bosses believe the mother and three other hoglets living in the area had moved on due to the hot weather.

The hoglet rescued from the drain has been named Henry after his rescuer, they said.

“What a result, what perseverance by Henry and friends, family and neighbours. They are true hedgehog champions,” the spokesperson added.